But LOOK ! He has no clothes on!"
cries the child with clear bright eye.
For he has watched the Emperor
go strutting royally by.

While fawning lackies hold the train
invisible as air.
He listens as the people shout
acclaim for clothes so fair.

"So Beautiful" "So Elegant"
" Magnificent indeed !"
The Emperor's clothes
fit for a King as he goes forth to lead.

The Ruler with the power to give
an order at his whim,
He, who controls the people's fate
Those who comply with him.

The lesser councillors pretend
his finery to see,
the people lined up in the streets
bow to his Majesty.

Until a child in innocence
with open honesty
reveals there are NO clothes at all.
Just nakedness to see.

But who will listen to the Child
and who will silence him?
Who will cross the Emperor's power
and go out on a limb?

Today, Abuse, in form of Child
looks at the Ones in power
the Mental Health Society
within the Ivory Tower.

The Therapists who stand before
The mirror of their face
so proud to see how Academia
Gives them honored place.

Who set the Guidelines for the
treatment of the Child Abuse.
The Child who watches
from afar and knows it is no use

To say the Emperor has NO clothes
or that he shows his greed,
For rigid, set Paternalism
Ego trip will feed.

The child will cry aloud and oft,
but Silence is a Vote,
The Emperor's councillors
remain indifferent and remote.

How dangerous the thought becomes
to see such Self denial
the blindness and unwillingess to
STOP and THINK a while.

From what imaginery Cloth
will come the Emperor's Robe?
Will no one stand to side the Child
and patterned Guidelines probe?

The Emperor dressed in no-see clothes
may try a no-speak gloat,
but Child Abuse will always KNOW
that Silence IS a VOTE.

10/4/2004


Goessoftly
Retired therapist
Permission for reprints is required
http://www.goessoftlyishere.com